The catholic fraternity was shocked but not surprised on the passing of Pope Francis, the sovereign of the Vatican city, on Easter Monday at around 7:35am.
Pope Francis who was the first Latin American pontiff in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, died aged 88.
His death on Monday came shortly after a bout of double pneumonia that kept him hospitalized for five weeks at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
Pope Francis died of a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse, the Vatican has revealed.
Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State Dr. Andrea Arcangeli has issued the official certification, and the Holy See Press Office released the report last evening
Nyeri, Mombasa and Nairobi Archbishops have all mourned the Pope, describing him a trailblazer in championing for the rights of the marginalized not only in the world but also in Africa where most counties are still developing.
Speaking to the media, Nyeri Arch Bishop Anthony Muheria said Kenyans should use this period to reflect on corruption case and the trajectory it should take.
”For us in Kenya, Pope Francis has a special place also. We all recall his trip in 2015 when he again recalled such a important message that we must fight corruption, corruption that is financial, corruption that is misuse and abuse of office, corruption of the young people in terms of morals and self benefit to those who gain by capturing the young people in vices.” Muheria remarked.
Mombasa Archbishop Martin Kivuva has said Pope Francis will be remembered for his commitment to see the humanitarian crises in Sudan and Gaza by his insistent calls of ceasefires.
Nakuru based Bishop Cleophas Oseso has urged believers to embody the walk of the pope in their daily lives and live in the hope of eternal life
His death marks the end of a transformative papacy that resonated deeply not only within the Church but among global communities, including millions of Catholics in Kenya.